AmericanLongRifles Forums

General discussion => Contemporary Longrifle Collecting => Topic started by: Mike Brooks on September 10, 2019, 11:48:37 PM

Title: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Mike Brooks on September 10, 2019, 11:48:37 PM
I believe these are "above average". Especially when you consider they were built pre 1970. The bench gun is probably the most decorated Smith gun in existence. The inlays are flawless, not a gap anywhere. The bench gun weighs 15 1/2lbs...looks .45 or .50 and about 1" across the flats.

(https://i.ibb.co/gPvB5kj/DSCF2517.jpg) (https://ibb.co/YyDqzHR)

(https://i.ibb.co/mtkjryq/DSCF2519-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/d6FTsp2)

(https://i.ibb.co/F7hKgmX/DSCF2519-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/5c16BGk)

(https://i.ibb.co/ncZ2F4Q/DSCF2519.jpg) (https://ibb.co/fpBRsZr)

(https://i.ibb.co/wpVkvJX/DSCF2521.jpg) (https://ibb.co/r5YjWbS)

(https://i.ibb.co/0mmx7hv/DSCF2523.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jbbSNgs)

(https://i.ibb.co/tY5xZtH/DSCF2525.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qmwW0fD)

(https://i.ibb.co/fFcNLsg/DSCF2527.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LRGgH3F)

(https://i.ibb.co/Wy6nBdJ/DSCF2529.jpg) (https://ibb.co/QNf9Yqw)

(https://i.ibb.co/k2N7MVL/DSCF2531-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/xqxk3Kn)

image upload (https://imgbb.com/)
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Mike Brooks on September 10, 2019, 11:52:11 PM
Here's another, light 7 1/2lb gun in .38 cal. Again, flawless inlays. Gold inlay in the cock and various gold areas on the patchbox toe plate etc.

(https://i.ibb.co/kqQNhc0/DSCF2533-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/qmkTR19)

(https://i.ibb.co/B3rLjnn/DSCF2533-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/2hsqPZZ)

(https://i.ibb.co/Tw4RNFj/DSCF2533-4.jpg) (https://ibb.co/j8yGj10)

(https://i.ibb.co/bbhnKMT/DSCF2533.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cY5drS0)

(https://i.ibb.co/t2z6n0V/DSCF2535.jpg) (https://ibb.co/3FvbVxg)

(https://i.ibb.co/zx8SBF0/DSCF2537.jpg) (https://ibb.co/pwW3MQ9)

(https://i.ibb.co/NyqSp9p/DSCF2539.jpg) (https://ibb.co/LZy56x6)

(https://i.ibb.co/xYLDfCq/DSCF2541-2.jpg) (https://ibb.co/w7gRw0h)

(https://i.ibb.co/THXqJQC/DSCF2541-3.jpg) (https://ibb.co/wKHr8nv)

(https://i.ibb.co/jT3tFv6/DSCF2541.jpg) (https://ibb.co/L89Kfzk)

(https://i.ibb.co/bRc0Tky/DSCF2543.jpg) (https://ibb.co/dJ8TFR3)
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Mike Brooks on September 10, 2019, 11:53:02 PM
I'm going to have to get a better camera, I think it's played out. ::)
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Stoner creek on September 10, 2019, 11:58:34 PM
It’s going to be a very long week  :-[. Buckle those girls up on your drive to Friendship!!!
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: realtorone on September 11, 2019, 01:03:03 AM
Beautiful workmanship, Outstanding for pre 1979
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: sqrldog on September 11, 2019, 02:09:06 AM
How would you like to be able to inlet that wear plate with all those piercings and do it that well. Wayne certainly a nice addition to your collection. Too often the early builders don't get the credit they deserve for their work.  Lester certainly liked to engrave and did a good job of it. Congratulations on acquiring a couple of great Johnson School rifles. I look forward to seeing them maybe in January at the Wheeler Show.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Stoner creek on September 11, 2019, 02:24:39 AM
How would you like to be able to inlet that wear plate with all those piercings and do it that well. Wayne certainly a nice addition to your collection. Too often the early builders don't get the credit they deserve for their work.  Lester certainly liked to engrave and did a good job of it. Congratulations on acquiring a couple of great Johnson School rifles. I look forward to seeing them maybe in January at the Wheeler Show.
I’m planning on being there! Just sent a check to Brother Parker today. I’ll try to remember to bring those two along.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: smart dog on September 11, 2019, 02:47:21 AM
Hi,
So Mike, how do those rifles square with your distaste of "Las Vegas" guns? 

dave
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Cades Cove Fiddler on September 11, 2019, 06:05:04 PM
 :o :o :o.... Wow,... great art work ,... !!! ...really fine examples of his skill and talent,... Silver work, engraving, and carving are outstanding, but how about that wood in the lighter rifle,... ??? ... Thanx, Mike, and congrats Wayne,.... !!!   
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Craig Wilcox on September 11, 2019, 10:39:49 PM
Really like that little curlicue at the breech line on the off-side.  Nicely done, for sure.
Mr. Smith certainly knew how to make a rifle stand out from the crowd.  Makes me wonder if either rifle was used in competition - I'd be afraid of getting a ding in one of them.
Sure does give one incentive to keep improving on the builds.
Mike, thanks for showing Wayne's addition to his collection - beautiful work.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Shreckmeister on September 11, 2019, 11:39:10 PM
Try inletting this one.  I can't even imagine it.

(https://i.ibb.co/Rvd5dsq/Picture-911.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cgVmVZj)
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Stoner creek on September 12, 2019, 02:16:34 AM
More than a couple of hours work I'd guess   I can't imagine just cutting this out of a piece of sheet.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Mike Lyons on September 12, 2019, 04:44:43 AM
Those are unreal.  I bet he could give some good pointers. 
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: mountainman70 on September 12, 2019, 10:18:15 PM
More than a couple of hours work I'd guess   I can't imagine just cutting this out of a piece of sheet.

Me neither. Would have to have a sizable jug o ambition handy , Stoner.
Sho nuff make ya go blind a sawin an filin. Might as well let the "Ambition" jug help/ hahaha. Have a goodun y'all. Dave 8) 8)
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Bob McBride on September 13, 2019, 12:13:59 AM
Gosh damsel in distress those are nice...
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: WadePatton on September 13, 2019, 01:05:52 AM
Gosh damsel in distress those are nice...

Hey that's what I was gonna say!  Great Guns!


Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Stoner creek on September 13, 2019, 02:09:11 AM
I'm going to get these guns out for everyone to enjoy.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Daryl on September 13, 2019, 08:09:41 PM
Those are absolutely amazing. I thought this one was good.

(https://i.ibb.co/Y3fYsDN/100-1700.jpg) (https://ibb.co/37SGZfT)


Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Terry Reynolds on September 15, 2019, 02:37:06 AM
I'm going to get these guns out for everyone to enjoy.

…..and this is exactly what Wayne did. He let me hold and examine both rifles at Friendship today and I appreciate the opportunity. What beautiful rifles they are and to have a owner that is very willing to share them with the rest of us.

Thank you sir.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Gary Tucker on September 15, 2019, 07:42:07 PM
Got a chance to see these rifles yesterday at Friendship..  Absolutely beautiful!  One thing that dosen't show in the photos is the ramrod channel that is lined in brass.  Amazing work.    The thimbles are actually part of the liner and are not pinned to the stock in the traditional manner.  Thanks for letting me examine those rifles Wayne.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: oldtravler61 on September 16, 2019, 12:46:05 AM
  Wayne is a true gentleman when it comes to showing his guns. He just hands them to you ! None of this becareful, don't scratch it stuff.
  He handed me some really nice guns. That I was afraid of dropping..! He never even a gave it a second thought..!  Oldtravler
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Bob McBride on September 16, 2019, 01:25:53 AM
Wayne, were you and Mike in the booth today? I walked around the row hoping to catch a peek at those Smith Rifles....
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Stoner creek on September 16, 2019, 01:49:07 AM
Both of us Old Timers ran out of energy and left Sunday morning.
I’ll have these guns out for everyone to enjoy at some Longrifle shows in the upcoming year!
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: B.Barker on September 21, 2019, 03:51:13 AM
May have to make a trip to stoner creek and see them first hand. Nice rifles Wayne.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Craig Wilcox on September 21, 2019, 05:58:42 PM
Mike or Wayne - The first rifle pictured, what material for all those inlays?  It looks like silver, either sterling or pure.  I think if I had made it, I would have used Sterling as it is a bit more scratch and dent resistant.
Both are absolutely wonderful to see.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: snapper on September 21, 2019, 06:26:03 PM
I had the pleasure of seeing these rifle in person at Friendship.   They are truly stunning.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Wayne of Stoner Creek, and enjoyed getting to know him. 

Hanging out for a few hours at Brooks and Stoner Creek's booth on Saturday was enjoyable and we had a nice visit.

I think Mike enjoyed getting back to Friendship and seeing what he has missed for the past 15 years.

Fleener
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Stoner creek on September 21, 2019, 06:33:31 PM
Mike or Wayne - The first rifle pictured, what material for all those inlays?  It looks like silver, either sterling or pure.  I think if I had made it, I would have used Sterling as it is a bit more scratch and dent resistant.
Both are absolutely wonderful to see.
I can’t say with total certainty. My best guess would be German Silver. The engraving kinda indicates a harder metal than sterling or coin silver. I believe that the name plate on the barrel is probably sterling.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Tim Crosby on September 21, 2019, 06:42:26 PM
Try inletting this one.  I can't even imagine it.

(https://i.ibb.co/Rvd5dsq/Picture-911.jpg) (https://ibb.co/cgVmVZj)

 That look like one of Rase's tricks of letting the tree grow around the metal :D

  Tim
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Mike Brooks on September 21, 2019, 06:50:24 PM
Mike or Wayne - The first rifle pictured, what material for all those inlays?  It looks like silver, either sterling or pure.  I think if I had made it, I would have used Sterling as it is a bit more scratch and dent resistant.
Both are absolutely wonderful to see.
I can’t say with total certainty. My best guess would be German Silver. The engraving kinda indicates a harder metal than sterling or coin silver. I believe that the name plate on the barrel is probably sterling.
Looks like german silver to me.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Cades Cove Fiddler on September 22, 2019, 06:16:41 AM
 ;) ;) ;)... Mike, .. I heard somewhere that Lester & Hacker used a lot of coin silver in some of their inlays,... don't know what the proof of that is,... but has to be more than white brass,...!!!
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Mike Brooks on September 22, 2019, 04:54:33 PM
;) ;) ;)... Mike, .. I heard somewhere that Lester & Hacker used a lot of coin silver in some of their inlays,... don't know what the proof of that is,... but has to be more than white brass,...!!!
That may be true, but I think these are german silver except for the name plate in the barrel.
Title: Re: A couple Lester Smith rifles
Post by: Don Steele on September 23, 2019, 12:21:49 PM
I had the pleasure of seeing these rifle in person at Friendship.   They are truly stunning.

I also had the pleasure of meeting Wayne of Stoner Creek, and enjoyed getting to know him. 

Hanging out for a few hours at Brooks and Stoner Creek's booth on Saturday was enjoyable and we had a nice visit.

I think Mike enjoyed getting back to Friendship and seeing what he has missed for the past 15 years.

Fleener
Yup.
I also enjoyed Wayne's hospitality and enjoyed spending time in the booth he was sharing with Mike. At one time or another, I looked around and found the "group" at that booth, besides Wayne and myself consisted of: Mike Brooks, Jim Chambers, Mike Miller and Charlie Burton. Pretty serious company of some of our very best builders to be afforded the opportunity to socialize with and learn a little from.
Thank you Wayne.